If Leeds signed Joey Barton, they'd be filling the void left by Rudy Austin

The news that QPR were releasing Joey Barton was received particularly well by Leeds United fans on Wednesday afternoon.

Barton was linked with a move to Leeds by the Daily Star earlier this summer and bookmakers Ladbrokes rate the midfielder's chances of an Elland Road move at 12/1.

It's as of yet unclear whether the 32-year-old would be a current target for the Yorkshire side - but, if he was, the ex-QPR man would fill a very specific void for the Whites.

Indeed, Barton would be the perfect replacement for Rodolph Austin, another midfielder who divides opinion that gave United a certain presence in the middle of the park.

2014/15

Interceptions

Tackles

Appearances

Minutes Played

Lewis Cook

72

57

37

2,952

Tommaso Bianchi

49

69

24

1,965

Rodolph Austin

48

62

30

2,249

Joey Barton

46

52

28

2,351

Alex Mowatt

44

43

38

3,054

As Opta stats show, Barton had a very similar rate of interceptions and tackles won to the Leeds midfielder last season (both have since been released), winning more interceptions than any United star except for Austin, Lewis Cook or Tommaso Bianchi.

What's interesting to note, of course, is that Barton was achieving his figures at a higher level in the Premier League.

Barton, though, can obviously boil over a bit too much on the tackling front. His disciplinary record is appalling and the controversy that comes with any such signing would be the last thing a club like Leeds need more of.

Meanwhile, it was former boss Neil Redfearn that reportedly wanted the then QPR midfielder, just as he was a huge fan of Austin. In the end, Massimo Cellino didn't rate the Jamaican all that highly. Nor may he or Uwe Rosler rate Barton.

Tim Poole

Tim Poole is a sports journalist for HITC with a love of football, tennis and snooker in particular.His career to date has seen him speak to former Manchester United boss David Moyes, interview snooker world champion Mark Selby and be snubbed by Premier League managers and players in more than one language!He is a massive Roger Federer fan and lives by the motto that 'sport is life.' When he's not writing about it, he's playing it, be it football, tennis, basketball, badminton, table tennis, darts, snooker, golf or even water polo. He is better at some than others...